JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State has filled its head women's tennis coaching vacancy with a familiar face in Michael Helms, who will lead the Gamecocks into their first season in Conference USA this season.
 
After one season as an assistant coach with the UAB men's tennis team, Helms was named the head women's tennis coach at Jax State, Athletics Director Greg Seitz announced on Monday. The hire brings the 2001 JSU graduate back home, where he led the Gamecocks in hitting as a senior on the baseball team.
 
Since then, he has become a dedicated teacher and coach in the game of tennis and has earned a rapid ascension in the collegiate coaching profession.
 
"Michael is the perfect fit to lead our women's tennis program here at Jax State," Seitz said. "He has proven himself as a tremendous coach and teacher of the game of tennis in our region and did a tremendous job at UAB with their men's team. He is a Jax State alum who loves this community and University, and I can't wait to see the heights in which he takes our program as we join Conference USA."
 
Helms joined the UAB men's tennis program in the fall of 2022 and was promoted to assistant coach in the spring of 2023. That spring, the Blazers went 21-7, one win shy of the school record. They also ended the 2023 season ranked No. 70 in the nation, the best team ranking for the university in over 20 years.
 
"It's always been one of my goals to get back to Jacksonville State," Helms said. "This is definitely happening quicker than I expected, but I am extremely excited to be back to a place where I have deep rooted relationships and high expectations for a program with such a rich history. Now we go to work to start putting all the pieces together to help our team accomplish their individual goals and put the University in a position to compete for a Conference USA Championship and spot in the NCAA tournament. To The Peak - Go Gamecocks!"
 
Prior to UAB, Michael spent more than a decade teaching and coaching a variety of players from beginners to professionals developing them to reach their full potential in the sport. A USPTA Certified Tennis Professional, he continues to teach part-time at the Southern Tennis Academy in Birmingham, AL.
 
Michael and his wife Amanda of 22 years have 3 children, Brayden (17), Caroline (16), and Madelyn (10). He met Amanda at Jax State and played baseball for the Gamecocks while earning a business marketing degree.